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WETLANDS NOT A WASTELAND
Recently The Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI) conducted Safety at Sea Training for SmallScale Fishers in four (4) communities throughout Trinidad. This training was organized in collaboration with the Climate Change
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Written By: Dereck Archer
Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH) Project in Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Food Production (Fisheries Division) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO/UN), with financial support being provided by the FAO’s CC4FISH Project. There was a delay in training commencement due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed nationally, but the training finally began with all safety protocols in place.
Improving fisher’s safety at sea has become increasingly important due to the lack of implemented safety systems by local fisherfolk. During the duration of this training thirty-seven (37) fisherfolk benefited from four (4), five-day training sessions in Trinidad focusing on Safety-at-Sea for Small Scale Fishers. Workshops which were held at four (4) different locations in Trinidad, Maracas Bay Community Centre from 18th-22nd October 2021, Orange Valley Community Centre from 25th-29th
Student holding lit flare Student tossing activated smoke flare into the ocean
Student releasing rocket flare
October 2021, Toco Regional Complex from 8th-12th November 2021 and Macaulay Community Centre from 6th10th December 2021. The participants who attended the training were from the fishing communities of Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, La Fillette, Blanchisseuse, Cacandee (Felicity), Brickfield, Orange Valley, Balandra, Toco, Grande Riviere, Matelot, Claxton Bay, Jumbie Bay and San Fernando.
During each five (5) day training session there were different modules daily, beginning with General Safety, Personal Safety, Vessel Stability and Survival at Sea on day one. Day two focused was on Rules of the Road. The timetable for day three comprised Emergency Preparations, Safety Risk Management and Boat Handling. The topics of discussion scheduled for day four were Basic First Aid, Communication, and a hands-on practical session on Outboard Engine. The focus on Day five was the practical training and the morning session was spent at sea onboard two vessels with the emphasis being on survival at sea. The participants had the opportunity to use the different types of distress flares, (smoke, handheld, and rocket) and got the chance to use a VHF Marine Radio. After the practical session, there was a closing ceremony where the training attendees received participation certificates.
The feedback received from the fisherfolk all indicated the Safety at Sea for Small Scale Fishers training program has been a resounding success. It is hoped that this training is put to positive use, with an effort to safeguard the lives of all who risk their lives every day by doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It’s all about saving lives and livelihood.
Participants of the CC4-Fish Training on their final day, after receipt of certificates
